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TPPCASTT for Reaper

Reapers

Black reapers with the sound of steel on stones
Are sharpening scythes. I see them place the hones
In their hip-pockets as a thing that’s done,
And start their silent swinging, one by one.
Black horses drive a mower through the weeds,
And there, a field rat, startled, squealing bleeds,
His belly close to ground. I see the blade,
Blood-stained, continue cutting weeds and shade.

Jean Toomer

TPCASTT for annotation

T-title: The meaning of the title without reference to the poem.

Reaper = grim reaper

P-paraphrase: Put the poem, line by line, in your own words. DO NOT READ INTO THE POEM. Only read on surface level.

sharpening scythes = sharpening blades

hone = knife

black horses drive a mower = moving through grass mowing

rat, startled, squealing bleeds = rat was cut

see the blade, blood stained, continue cutting = keep using blood stained blade and finish working